No one was killed in the fast-moving, five-alarm fire that all but destroyed the West Lake Lodge Apartments just off Ninth Avenue SW in Bessemer Monday night, but that doesn't mean that residents were not horribly affected, according to Bessemer Fire Battalion Chief Michael Brannon.

One of those displaced residents, Denise -- who preferred not to give her last name -- was at the complex Wednesday to undergo the rather grim duty of meeting with her insurance agent and filing a claim on her belongings.

Denise was unhurt by the fire, unlike the roughly half-dozen residents who suffered minor to serious injuries, but her apartment was "a total loss," according to a family member who accompanied her to the complex today.

"Everything I have was in there," Denise said. "I've got nowhere to live. I've got nothing."

Firefighters were called to the fire at about 6:20 p.m. on Monday and arrived in five minutes, but the building was already engulfed in flame, according to Brannon.

Investigators' initial assessment shows the fire began in an upstairs unit, but the cause had not been determined as of Monday night.

Denise, who was home alone at the time of the fire, managed to put on shoes and some clothing before leaving her unit, but police did not allow her to run back in to grab her laptop, cell phone or other items as the fire spread rapidly.

She and the other residents were left helpless as their homes were destroyed by the fire. "We stayed outside until about 11 (p.m.), just watching it burn down," she said.

Many of the displaced residents were provided with lodging at the Hampton Inn in Bessemer on Monday night.

"It's so sad," a manager at the Hampton Inn told AL.com today, referring to the fire and its effect on West Lake Lodge residents. "I was alerted to it by a guest who saw big, black smoke rising in the air."

The fire sent low-hanging smoke wafting over U.S. 11 and into the skies over Bessemer, and the plume could be seen from as far away as Fairfield along Interstate 20/59.

The manager, who declined to give her name, said that people in the community seem eager to help the people displaced by the fire. "Everybody is reaching out," she said. "A lot of people want to assist and help."

Quite a few people, including representatives from four or five area churches, have stopped by the motel seeking to help, according to the manager. "People came yesterday and even today wanting to donate, and I just referred them to the Red Cross," she said.

The Red Cross was on the scene of the fire Monday night, offering help to residents.

Back at West Lake Lodge today, one of Denise's neighbors, who lives in a building just across the parking lot, walked over to offer Denise her sympathy.

"I am so sorry, ma'am," she told Denise as she gave her a hug.

The neighbor, Nkeimka Nzeocha, was not at home when the fire started but drove back to the complex while it was still burning.

"It's so painful for the families," she said. "There were 16 homes, and now they are homeless. It's a great tragedy. I pray God will make a way for them."

For now, Denise is "just trying to make it day to day," she said as she and three family members prepared to leave the complex, where workers were busy sealing up the doors, windows and breezeways with large sheets of plywood.

And, like her neighbor, she is putting her faith in a higher power, despite the loss of virtually all of her worldly possessions.

"I know God is able," she said. "He spared my life, so I know He is able."

The apartment building has been condemned by the City of Bessemer, according to a notice posted at the property by the management company.

According to FOX 6 TV, Grace Church in Bessemer is accepting donations of basic necessities, including towels, bedding, clothing, toiletries and gift cards.